Supa Modo, Kenyan family drama wins Top Prize at ZIFF 2018

The film directed by Likarion Wainaina, tells the story of a young girl whose dream of becoming a superhero is threatened by a terminal illness, inspiring her village to rally together to make her dream come true.

It is a wonderful story about resilience in the face of challenge, of hope in the imminence of defeat and a story of an African Hero in a little Girl.

The jury said: "From beginning to end, this film captures the audience with its gripping story. An entire village comes together to support one family, to cope with a terminally sick child. The filmmaker uses the magic and colour of cinema to lighten a painful situation."

"Supa Modo" also won the European African Film Festival Award at the ZIFF 2018.

Organised under the theme "Speak Up Be heard" (Sema na Usikike), ZIFF held from 7th to 15th July 2018 attracted guests from all parts of the world.

The festival took place in various venues in and around the spectacular Stone Town Zanzibar.

On its 21st edition, ZIFF is proof that Africa has become a home to a vibrant film and television industry.

The organisers revealed that more than 4000 films were submitted for selection.

Commenting on this year's final line-up, Festival Director Fabrizio Colombo said: "The sheer number of film submissions for ZIFF 2018 was a surprise. It is rewarding to see how much our Festival is growing and is attracting so many filmmakers around the world, but especially from our continent. We tried to stick close to our theme for this year, celebrating the courage of many filmmakers who are telling the truth and speaking out for positive change in this world."

He added: "Surely, some films selected will shake the power systems and old mentalities and that is what cinema is all about, challenging perceptions and imagining a different world."

The festival took place in various venues in and around the spectacular Stone Town Zanzibar.

On its 21st edition, ZIFF is proof that Africa has become a home to a vibrant film and television industry.

The organisers revealed that more than 4000 films were submitted for selection.

Commenting on this year's final line-up, Festival Director Fabrizio Colombo said: "The sheer number of film submissions for ZIFF 2018 was a surprise. It is rewarding to see how much our Festival is growing and is attracting so many filmmakers around the world, but especially from our continent. We tried to stick close to our theme for this year, celebrating the courage of many filmmakers who are telling the truth and speaking out for positive change in this world."

He added: "Surely, some films selected will shake the power systems and old mentalities and that is what cinema is all about, challenging perceptions and imagining a different world."

Ms Keita thanked ZIFF for showcasing African films. She said she was both "surprised and happy" that ZIFF had selected her film.

Stressing that African funds were needed to fight for African identity, Ms Keita encouraged all Africans to be proud of their cultures. People who abandon their cultures are a dead people, she said.

Several people who addressed the awards ceremony said African stories needed to be told by Africans.

Tanzania's Catherine Credo won the Best Actress Award for her role in "Fatuma".

The super-excited Ms Credo said that the film had won several awards abroad, but there was nothing as gratifying as being "recognised by your own people".

"It's all the inspiration I need for the next film," she said.

"Bahasha" by John Riber from Tanzania won the Best Editing Award. It tells the story of an elected public official who betrays his family, friends and community by taking bribe. He learns the hard way and must now find the road to redemption.

This year's Festival had a special focus on issues affecting women and this was reflected on the awards ceremony where most awards were scooped by women for their prominent roles in the film industry.

ZIFF is increasingly becoming a very important point of reference for African films. It encourages African youth to embrace production of films promoting African cultural values while challenging harmful and outdated cultural practices.

Festival Director Colombo revealed that the theme chosen for ZIFF 2019 is "A New Dawn" (Kumekucha).

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